Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

I looked up and followed his gaze to the dress hanging on the wall. “We're in the Caribbean, Bastian. I don't need a jacket.”

“There's no way you're going out in that,” he said gruffly, frowning as I slid the tie over and under itself. He put his hands on my shoulders, looking down sternly at me. “It's too revealing. No.”

I rolled my shoulders, trying to loosen his grip. He didn't relax and his blue-gray eyes were serious. I knew he meant well, but I wasn't a little girl needing his protection any more either. Besides, this wasn't prom or a date. It was a billionaire's gala and the dress was perfectly acceptable. He was just projecting his heartbreak over his fight with Ava onto everything else.

“Sorry, Grump-face. This is my dress. Deal with it.” I finished knotting and pulled the tie up tight, choking him a little. The gold threads in his tie would complement Ava's dress nicely.

Bastian glared at me, pulling down on the tie knot so he could breathe. His shoulders were tensing and I could already hear the big-brother lecture coming. “Charlotte-”

“I don't want to hear it, Bastian,” I warned as he opened his mouth. “As much as you'd like to, you do not control everything. I'm a big girl and this is my dress. And put a smile on your face. You have investors here tonight.”

Bastian's frown deepened, darkening the scar that ran along the top of his eyes. I knew there were other, deeper scars, but that one was almost as good as a mood ring with him. Right now, it was telling me that he was far too wrapped up in his emotions.

“I do not try to control everything,” he replied sullenly after a moment.

“Just keep telling yourself that,” I told him. I stepped back and nodded at my work on his tie. He looked ready for Ava. “Now, unless you want to help me with my dress, you should get downstairs. The guests should be arriving and you're the main event.”

Bastian sighed and turned for the door. His hand paused on the doorknob. “Have you heard from Ava?”

There was a quiet desperation in his voice that almost made me tell him she was here. But, that would ruin the surprise, so instead I simply asked, “What do you think?”

“Of course not.” Bastian's shoulders slumped slightly. “She has someone else now.

“Bastian?” I asked, taking a step toward him. “Ava doesn't have someone else.”

He looked back at me, his gray eyes clear yet broken. His face was calm, but there was a soft heartbreak in his voice. “It's not important.”

“Bastian, she doesn't have someone else,” I repeated. I was about to tell him that she was here, that she had come for him, but then he put on his business smile, the one he only wore for meetings that betrayed none of his true feelings.

“You sure you can't at least wear a scarf or something?”

“No, Bastian,” I replied, shaking my head. He smiled, a hint of his usual humor shining through. I grinned back at him. He'd be with Ava in just a little bit. “I need to get dressed now.”

He opened the door and closed it firmly behind him.

“Good lord, that man needs to get laid,” I said under my breath. I thought about Bastian's “someone else” comment and shook my head. If that auctioneer had said anything, there were some hungry sharks that would get a free meal tonight.

Chapter Five

After putting on my dress and shoes, I glanced in the mirror one last time and smiled at my reflection. This was definitely one of my favorite dresses so far and, as silly as it was, I hoped Leo thought so too. It irritated me how much his opinion mattered to me, especially considering that we weren't anywhere near being a couple. Someday, I would stop caring. Someday, I would find someone else to love and I would finally put these feelings for Leo aside. Someday, I would be smart and let him go. Just not today.

As it was, I suspected he would just tell me to put on a jacket, too.

With a shrug, I tossed my hair over my shoulder and went into the adjoining room to find Ava. She was standing in front of the mirror, mesmerized by her appearance.

“Holy crap. I do good work,” I said, taking her in. Stunning didn't even come close to describing her. The dress was even better with her dark hair freshly curled and pulled back with a golden comb.

“You look gorgeous, Charlotte,” Ava replied, her eyes barely leaving the mirror to look at me.

“What? This old thing?” I teased, walking around to take a better look at her. “Sebastian's going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

“You're sure he'll be happy to see me?” she asked, pressing her knuckles into the lace at her stomach. Her cheeks were flushed but the rest of her was pale. I hoped she wasn't going to throw up from nerves.

“He's been the moodiest, most grumpy man I've ever had the misfortune of being around since you left. He hasn't even gone out paddle-boarding in the mornings. Just keeps talking about the dark.” I shook my head, not really understanding the man I called brother. Heartbreak was not an emotion Sebastian dealt well with.

“I'm just nervous. I don't want to screw this up again.” Ava's voice was barely above a whisper as she stared at the princess in the mirror.

I took her hands in mine. “He has been a mess without you. A broody, heartbroken, lovesick mess. He's going to be overjoyed to see you. I promise.”